Thermoformed load bearing pallet

ABSTRACT

The loadable and readily moveable thermo-plastically constructed pallets of the present invention utilize three directionally longitudinally extending beams extending integrally downwardly from a horizontal and topically loadable panel. Respective beams at the lower-side are provided with a plurality of transversely alignable cutaways, including two medial-cutaways and two flanking-cutaways, the latter being adapted to rest rack wise upon a range of spaced apart rails. Also extending integrally downwards from such horizontal panel are a plurality of serpentine pallet-strengthening ribs, each rib being integrally attached to a pair of said beams.

CROSS-REFERENCE BY RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to Provisional Patent Applications nos. 61/464,289(2011) and 61/633,965 (2012).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Loadable and readily movable pallets or platforms are well known in theprior art. As typified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,431 (4 Sep. 2001) there isthe quest for providing conventionally movable, resinously thermoformedpallets utilizing minimal resinous structural material yet consistentwith attaining high pallet loads. Such objectives include high loadswhether the pallet is resting upon a horizontally extending substrate orwhether the pallet is resting upon a plural-rails rack.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the above sought objectives in view: The loadable and readilymovable thermo-plastically constructed pallets of the present inventionutilize three directionally longitudinally extending beams extendingintegrally downwardly from a horizontal and topically loadable panel.Respective beams at the lower-side are provided with a plurality oftransversely transversely alignable cutaways, including twomedial-cutaways and two flanking-cutaways, the latter being adapted torest rackwise upon a range of spaced apart rails. Also extendingintegrally downwards from such horizontal panel are a plurality ofserpentine pallet-strengthening ribs, each rib being integrally attachedto a pair of said beams. Other secondary features are also mentionedherebelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing, wherein like characters refer to like part in theseveral views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric top plan view of a representative embodiment ETPof the Thermoformed Load Bearing Pallet concept of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, akin to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric bottomward detail view of representative ribsconfiguration for the embodiment ETP generally shown in drawing FIGS.1-7;

FIG. 4 is a directionally long-tudinally extending sectional elevationalview of embodiment ETP, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is directional transversely extending elevational view ofembodiment ETP:

FIG. 6 is an isometric bottomward view of embodiment ETP;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view akin to FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a detail elevational view, especially emphasizing onesecondary feature e.g. at stretch wrap anchoring prints (80).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The thermoformed resinous pallet embodiment showing FIGS. 1-7 comprisesthree main integrally structurally-continuous components including atopically loadable horizontal panel (10), three parallel directionallylongitudinally beams (20) extending downwardly of panel (10), and alsoextending downwardly of panel (10), a plurality of serpentinepallet-strengthening ribs (30), each such rib being endwise integrallyconnected to a pair of such beams (20).

A typically rectangular such resinous horizontal panel 10 has anupper-surface 11 for topically supporting a load thereupon. Alsoutilizable are shoulders (15) extending integrally upwardly along therectangular circumference of panel 10. Panel 10 has a generallyhorizontal lower-surface 12.

Extending integrally downwardly from panel lower-surface 12 are threedirectionally longitudinally extending, and directionally transverselyseparated, beams 20. Each beam has a directionally longitudinallyextending lower-extremity 21 the plane of which is adapted to downwardlyabut a floor or other horizontal substrate. Each beam 20 longitudinallytherealong is bottom wise provided with a plurality of cutawaysextending transversely therethrough. Such cutaways include twomedial-cutaways (22) and two flanking-cutaways (22). For reason to beexplained later, respective such cutaways are directionally transverselyalignable.

Similarly extending integrally downwards from panel lower-surface 12 area plurality of pallet-strengthening ribs e.g. 30. The lower-ends e.g. 31for such ribs 30 lie at an elevation above the beams lower-extremities21. Preferably such ribs 30 might be parallel to each other andpreferably take a serpentine form. Ends of each such rib 30 areintegrally connected to a pair of such beams 20. Ancillary tothermoforming manufacturing processes, and the pallet's economicalstrength enhancing properties, the panel top-surface 11 has downwardindentations corresponding to the locations of beams 20 and ribs 30.

It is thusly apparent that the directionally transverse separations TSbetween longitudinal beams 20 and the directionally transverselyalignable medial-cutaways 22 provide so-called “4-ways lifting”capability for a such pallet e.g. ETP. For example, a forklift can enterin either longitudinal direction between transversely separated (T.S)beams 20, and additionally in either transverse direction alongtransversely alignable medial cutaways 22.

It is also thusly apparent that the directionally transversely alignableflanking -cutaways 23 will permit the pallet to rest rackwise uponparallel rails e.g. RB.

A generous longitudinal extent for flanking-cutaways 23 will accommodaterails separations of substantially 32-42 inches, without detracting frompallet loadability.

Generally rectangular pallets having a circumference of about200-inches, and thermoformed throughout of high density polyethylene, orequivalent resinous material, might weigh as little as 20-pounds yethave the following load capabilities;

-   -   when resting (21) upon a horizontal substrate, an evenly        distributed topical load of 2-tons; and when resting rackwise        (23 at RB), an evenly distributed topical load of 1-ton.    -   Pallet secondary features briefly alluded to here above include;    -   A. nestability for serially stacked pallets;    -   B. slots for accommodating strapping and/or banding for securing        topical loads (e. g. 20);    -   C. aptly positioned openings to enable easy manipulation of        non-loaded pallets (e. g. 40);    -   D. stretch wrap anchor abutment points (e. g. 80); and    -   E. strategic drain holes (e. g. 70).        From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the        “thermoformed load-bearing platform” concept of the present        invention will be readily understood and further explanation is        believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous        modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in        the art, it is not desired to limit the scope of the invention,        except as decided in the appealed claims.

What is claimed, is as follows:
 1. Pallet continuously molded throughoutincluding a substantially rectangular horizontal panel provided with anupper-surface for supporting a topical load and an underlyinglower-surface, and further comprising: A. extending integrallydownwardly from said panel lower-surface, three directionallytransversely separated and directionally longitudinally extending beams,each beam being provided with a directionally longitudinally extendinglower-extremity that collectively define a lower-plane adapted todownwardly abut an underlying horizontal substrate, and the lower-sideof each leg including two flanking-cutaways that flank twomedial-cutaways; and B. extending integrally downwardly from said panellower-surface, a plurality of directionally transversely extendingpallet-strengthening ribs, each such rib being integrally connected totwo such beams, lower-ends of such ribs lying in elevation above saidbeams lower-extremities.
 2. The pallet structure of claim 1 wherein thepanel upper-surface has indentations corresponding to the locations ofsaid downwardly extending beams and pallet-strengthening ribs.
 3. Thepallet structure of claim 2 wherein the said collectively directionallytransversely alignable medial-cutaways provide dual-transverseadmissions of a suitable lifting means; wherein the said directionallytransverse separations of the legs provides dual-longitudinal admissionsof a such lifting means; and wherein the said collectively transverselydirectionally allignable flanking-cutaways provide pallet rack abilityupon a dual-bars rack.
 4. The pallet structure of claim 3 wherein saidhorizontal panel is provided there around with four upstandingshoulders, two extending directionally longitudinal in parallel saidbeams and the intervening two extending directionally transversely ofsaid beams.
 5. The pallet structure of claim 4 wherein, for suchdirectionally transversely alignable flanking-cutaways, aredirectionally longitudinally sufficient to accommodate variousdimensions of dual-bars racks to accommodate rack spacings within therange of about 32-inches to 42-inches.
 6. The pallet structure of claim5 further having: a. nestability for serially stacked pallets; b. slotsfor accommodating strapping and/or banding for securing topical loads(e.g.20); c. aptly positioned openings to enable easy manipulation ofnon-loaded pallets (e.g.40); d. stretch wrap anchor abutment points(e.g.80); and e. strategic drain holes (e.g. 70).
 7. The pallet of claim1 constructed throughout of thermoplastic resinous material; wherein thepanel has a circumference of about 200-inches and the pallet weighs onlyabout 20 pounds, yet able to support a 2-tons uniform load when thelegs' lower-extremities rest upon a horizontal substrate, and a 1-tonuniform load when supported rack wise at transversely aligned beamsinward-cutaways.
 8. The pallet of claim 6 constructed throughout ofhigh-density polyethylene; wherein the panel has a circumference ofsubstantially 200-inches and the pallet weighs only about 20-pounds, yetable to support a uniform 2-tons load when the legs' lower-extremitiesrest upon a floor and at least a uniform 1-ton load when supported rackwise upon transversely aligned beams inward-cutaways.